Join us on Saturday, April 26, 2008 for the Wings of Spring Festival Birding Trips. Take a guided tour of one of our premier locations along the Mississippi River to see migrating birds in their natural habitat. All birding trips will meet at the respective trip site. The trips are guided and free to the public. Guides will discuss the natural history of the birds you see, explain the ecology of the river habitats, and help you become familiar with field guides, binoculars, and spotting scopes. The trips will be fun and enjoyable for bird watchers of all ages and all skill levels. Reservations are required for all birding trips.
Morning Birding Trips
Olin Nature Preserve and Mississippi Sanctuary - The Nature Institute
A grand area of upland forest and hill prairie habitat located on the bluffs of the Mississippi a few miles upstream from Alton. The site is managed as a living example of the natural forest and prairie communities that once dominated Illinois. This is a great place to view forest dwelling neo-tropical migratory birds and other resident birds in the region.
Trip begins at 8:30 a.m.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - CANCELLED
The refuge consists of 8,500 acres of floodplain and upland habitat located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Two Rivers functions as an important link in the chain of resting, feeding, and wintering areas for birds migrating along the Mississippi Flyway. Open water pools, backwater sloughs, small impoundments, wetland management units, forests and grasslands comprise the habitat of this area.
Trip begins at 9 a.m.
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
This floodplain area was purchased in 1997 by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Department of Conservation is in the process of restoring these 4,318 acres creating a unique urban conservation area. The area includes a view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, over 6.5 miles of river frontage, 800 acres of forest and a 110 acre island; excellent habitat for migrating birds along the Mississippi Flyway.
Trip begins at 8:30 a.m.
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary-Ellis Island
Ellis Island is a river island that was partially re-formed in the 1980's during the construction of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The island habitat consists of sandy soil and successional floodplain willow / cottonwood forest. The trails through the island allow the visitor to see a variety of migrating birds. Sandbars and mudflats adjacent to the island provide habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds.
Trip begins at 8:30 a.m.
Night-time Birding Trip
Pere Marquette State Park
The 8,000 acre park is located adjacent to the Illinois River and its backwaters. Approximately 230 species of birds have been identified within the diverse habitats of the park, which include; floodplain forests, wetlands, upland forests, prairies and riparian areas. This birding trip will be a unique opportunity to look for the 8 species of owls that are visitors to the park at night. Participants will be given a program at sunset and will then set out on a guided night-time hike, with the park naturalist, through the forest looking for owls. The hike will be followed up with a hotdog and marshmallow roast around the campfire.
Trip begins at 8 p.m.
To join one of the birding trips please call 1-800-258-6645.
